Release Detail

April 6, 2005 - Connecticut Gov. Rell Is Most Popular State Leader,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Most Voters Say Rowland Deserves More Jail Time

Connecticut voters give Gov. Jodi Rell an 80 - 10 percent approval rating, giving her the
highest ongoing approval rating ever measured by any statewide leader in a Quinnipiac
University poll, according to a survey released today. Gov. Rell has topped the 70 percent
mark in every poll since August, 2004.
Gov. Rell's latest score is up from a 74 - 4 percent approval rating, in a February
18 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

In an open-ended question, where respondents can give any answer, 32 percent of
voters say what they like most about Gov. Rell is her honesty/integrity, followed by 17
percent who say she is cleaning up corruption in government.
Asked what they like least, 10 percent say taxes, with 4 percent who say the
budget.
"Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell's numbers went up most likely because former Gov.
John Rowland was back in the news and voters remember that they were glad she was
there to take over. Even among Democrats, her job approval rating is a remarkable 78
percent," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.
"Sen. Joseph Lieberman is in very strong shape for his 2006 reelection bid. Like
Rell, he has very strong crossover appeal with even 72 percent of Republicans approving
of the job that he is doing, higher than the 66 percent of Democrats."
Approval ratings for other Connecticut leaders are:

67 - 22 percent for Sen. Joseph Lieberman;

65 - 20 percent for Sen. Christopher Dodd;

44 - 16 percent for Lt. Gov. Kevin Sullivan:

76 - 15 percent for Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

51 - 9 percent for Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz

Rell and Blumenthal are running neck and neck in an early look at the 2006 Governor's
race, with 46 percent for the Republican incumbent and 43 percent for the Democratic
challenger. Rell does better against other possible challengers:

50 - 39 percent over Dodd;

64 - 21 percent over Bysiewicz;

64 - 22 percent over Sullivan;

66 - 19 percent over New Haven Mayor John DeStefano;

66 - 17 percent over Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy.

In a possible Democratic primary, Dodd gets 35 percent, to 33 percent for
Blumenthal, with no other candidate above 7 percent.
Former Gov. John Rowland should have been sentenced to more time in prison, 59
percent of Connecticut voters say, with 6 percent who say less time and 33 percent who say
the one year and one day sentence is "about right." Among Democrats, 64 percent say the
sentence should be longer, while 44 percent of Republicans call for more time in jail.
Women are tougher than men on this question, with 61 percent of women calling for a
longer sentence, compared to 56 percent of men.

"Connecticut voters think John Rowland should have paid a higher price for his
crimes. Even Republicans agree that his sentence was too lenient," Dr. Schwartz said.

From March 29 to April 4, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,541 Connecticut
registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points. The survey includes
562 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points

The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York,
New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and the nation as a public service and for
research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling
her job as Governor?

TREND: (If Democrat) If the Democratic primary for governor were being held
today and the candidates were Christopher Dodd, Richard Blumenthal, Susan
Bysiewicz, Kevin Sullivan, John DeStefano, and Dan Malloy, for whom would you
vote?

14. (If registered Democrat) If the Democratic primary for governor were
being held today and the candidates were Christopher Dodd, Richard
Blumenthal,Susan Bysiewicz, Kevin Sullivan, John DeStefano and Dan Malloy for
whom would you vote?

41. As you may know, former Governor John Rowland was recently sentenced to
a year and a day in federal prison for corruption. Do you think John Rowland
should have been sentenced to more time in prison, less time in prison, or
was his sentence about right?